"Don't retreat!"
The French provost corps still had considerable influence in the army, but the cavalry commander on the front line was furious. He challenged the provost officer.
"Who gave that order? Can't you see this is a sea of mud? Our cavalry is being forced to trade fire with several times our number in infantry, and they have artillery too. If this goes on, my men will all be wiped out here!"
"General Compaoré!"
"Who's Compaoré? What about Marshal Oudinot?"
"Marshal Oudinot has been relieved of command! General Compaoré is in charge now!"
The cavalry commander was stunned. He had heard of a change of command on the eve of battle, but never in the middle of one.
"Damn it! Go tell that Compaoré! This is a sea of mud. My cavalry can't get moving at all. If we keep fighting like this, our entire force will be wiped out!"
"Are you saying you're incapable of holding this position?"
"I'm saying that if this keeps up, he'll bury France's finest cavalry in this mud pit!"
"I'll faithfully convey your disrespect to General Compaoré after the battle. For now, return to your post and hold the line. The great French Army has no need for cowards."
At the word "cowards," the cavalry commander flew into a rage. He was a proper general, while the provost officer in front of him was merely a lieutenant colonel. How dare he speak to him like that?
"You brat! Who are you calling a coward? I was fighting the enemy while you were still playing in the mud!"
But the young provost officer showed the general no deference. He merely said coldly,
"Anyone who abandons his post is a coward!"
"Abandons his post!?"
The cavalry commander repeated the words viciously. But obedience was a